It’s the dead of summer and it’s hot here in the District. These days, white and pink wines are my go-to. That said, drinking juicy California red wines and grilling out on a summer day is something of a patriotic duty for the American wine lover. And what better day than the Fourth of July to crack some Cali Zin, Petite Sirah or Charbono and toast to the good ol’ US of A?

These diverse wines were received as trade samples and tasted single blind.

Review: 2013 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner- California, Napa Valley
SRP: $40
Bright purple color, almost neon. Smells of sweet fig paste, blackberry jam, roasted coffee, milk chocolate, caramel and sweet candied pecans. Full-bodied and plush on the palate, the tannins are actually quite light, medium-low acid, the weight comes from the rich, sweet fruit —jammy currants and cherries, some strawberry pie). The fruit is laced with candied nuts, mocha, toasted oak, caramel and cotton candy. Rich and hedonistic to the max, with hefty oak. Lacks mystique and any semblance of balance, but I can’t deny the deliciousness and full throttle appeal. Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono, aged in 30% new French and American oak. (87 points IJB)

Review: 2012 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Franc Stepping Stone - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $45
Bold purple color in the glass. Dark berries abound on the nose (black cherries, blueberries, blackberries), underneath the fruit are aromas of earth, cedar, dried leaves and some roses. Full bodied but balanced by moderate acidity and dusty but firm tannins. Black cherries, red and black currant and blueberry fruit dominate, rich fruit but it tastes nice and tart. The wine is laced with elements of graphite, tobacco and cedar, an underlying mineral element. Long, silky finish with notes of mocha and vanilla. A beautiful wine, this will only get prettier and more refined with three or four years in the cellar. (91 points IJB)

Review: 2012 Edmeades Winery Petite Sirah - California, North Coast, Mendocino County
SRP: $35
Vibrant purple colored. Nose of blackberries, boysenberry, sweet clove, cola, menthol, some deep and smoky notes. Good tannic grip, medium-low acid, a full but smooth wine. Tart blackberries, black currants and plum skins, rich but vibrant and alive, not heavy at all. Loam, smoke, tar and graphite notes add complexity, but I also get sweet notes of cinnamon, mint and cola. Impressive concentration but very lively and enjoyable. Structure enough to bury this for a few years and see what kind of interesting stuff happens. 15 months in ¼ new French and American oak. (90 points IJB)

Review: 2012 Tom Gore Vineyards Field Blend - California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
SRP: $40
Medium-deep purple color. Nose of tart plums and black currants, blackberry jam, cedar and vanilla. Full bodied with chewy but sturdy tannins, a bit low on the acid. The black currants, blackberry and blackberry fruit is rich and ripe. Notes of cedar, mocha and tobacco leaf pervade the wine, hints of bell pepper, mocha, charcoal. Richness mixes with some tartness on a firm foundation. This wine could definitely use two to three years to unwind. A blend of 35% Petite Verdot, 33% Malbec, 21% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Tempranillo, aged 22 months in French oak. (87 points)

Review: 2012 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines Todd Brothers Ranch - California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
SRP: $35
Dark ruby color. Dense aromas at first, but it opens up and blueberries, blackberries and roasted fig come out, backed up by violets and potting soil, some underlying pepper and clove. Full-bodied, study tannic structure but the edges are smoothed out nicely, medium-low acid. Juicy-jammy black fruit, it also has quite a saucy element to it. I get notes of black pepper, soy, roasted figs and anise, coffee but it’s woven in well to the overall package. Bold at first but it gets elegant quickly. I’d actually like to bury this for two-to-four years. Includes a 2% shot of Petite Sirah, the wine is aged in one-year-old French oak. (90 points IJB)

Review: 2013 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Alexander Valley – California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
SRP: $26
Juicy purple color. Smells of sweet berries (black, red, blue), but also spicy and herbal notes (pepper, ginger?). Full but not hot with chewy tannins and some moderate acid to keep it clean. Boldly fruity, dark and rich with lots of loamy and earthy accents. Coffee, sweet cola and clove last long on the finish. A powerful wine, but also showing some restraint. (87 points IJB)